Primary and Secondary Sources in the Sciences

Primary and Secondary Sources in the Sciences

Sources of information are generally categorized as primary, secondary or tertiary depending on how close they are to the original event or information. The designation between secondary and tertiary sources is very difficult to make and often unimportant.

Description

Examples

Primary
Sources

are original materials on which other research is based

present information in its original form

experimental research results (Often in articles)

patents

sets of data, such as census

Secondary
and Tertiary
Sources

describe, interpret, analyze and evaluate primary sources

discuss evidence provided by primary sources

are one or more steps removed from the event or information they refer to

bibliographies/indexes (e.g. Biosis)

biographical works

dictionaries and encyclopedias

data compilations

reviews

chronologies

directories

guidebooks, manuals etc

textbooks

Some comparative examples of primary and secondary/tertiary sources:

DISCIPLINE

PRIMARY

SECONDARY/TERTIARY

ENGINEERING

Patent

Patent Index

SCIENCE

Journal article reporting original coral research

Article reviewing recent coral research.

MEDICINE

Report on a clinical trial of a cancer drug, or a case report of a cancer patient.

A book about cancer.

The designations of primary, secondary and tertiary differ between disciplines or subjects. Primary sources in the humanities and social sciences might be defined differently than primary sources in the sciences.

Adapted from the guide at the JCU library written by Ward Saylor & Helen Hooper